One-Credit Intermediate Language Courses Offered

This spring a number of one-credit language courses will be offered. Courses will be offered at the Intermediate level in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish, and we will also have an Advanced level course for Arabic. Times and dates for these courses are available on the Schedule of Classes.

To enroll in these courses, students will be required to take the online diagnostic exam, or use their scores on this fall’s language proficiency exam. Required scores for each course are as follows:

Arabic (Advanced): Advanced-Low to Advanced-Mid (primarily for MA students in Middle East Studies)
Arabic (Intermediate): Intermediate-Mid to Intermediate-High
Chinese (Intermediate): Intermediate-Mid to Intermediate-High
French (Intermediate): Intermediate-Mid to Intermediate-High
Russian (Intermediate): Intermediate-Mid to Advanced-Low
Spanish (Intermediate): Intermediate-Mid to Intermediate-High

If your speaking or reading level is below "Intermediate-Mid," you should take a regular language course at the intermediate level or below rather than the one-credit language course. The one-credit language course is designed for students who are near the required proficiency level for most MA programs. Please take the online diagnostic examination to estimate your proficiency level if you have not already taken a language proficiency examination.

Here are links to the diagnostic exams:

Arabic Diagnostic Exam
http://www.quia.com/pages/elliottschoollanguagetesting/arabicdiagnostic

Chinese Diagnostic Exam
http://www.quia.com/pages/elliottschoollanguagetesting/chinesediagnostic

French Diagnostic Exam
http://www.quia.com/pages/elliottschoollanguagetesting/frenchdiagnostic

Russian Diagnostic Exam
http://www.quia.com/pages/elliottschoollanguagetesting/russiandiagnositc

Spanish Diagnostic Exam
http://www.quia.com/pages/elliottschoollanguagetesting/spanishdiagnostic


If you meet the required proficiency level, and are interested in taking one of these courses, please contact Ryan Pond at rjpond@gwu.edu to enroll.

Want to join in on the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival in DC? Read and apply by Nov. 14th

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is seeking individuals who have a true passion for Japan, international relationships, and the Festival for the 2012 Goodwill Ambassador Program.

The annual events and programs of the National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrate Tokyo, Japan’s gift of cherry trees to Washington, DC in 1912, and the enduring friendship between the people of the United States and Japan. The 2012 Festival commemorates the 100th anniversary of the gift of trees and the duration of this year’s festival will expand from two weeks to five starting on March 20 and culminating on April 27, 2012.

Goodwill Ambassadors in past years have had the opportunity to attend Festival events, and meet the Ambassador of Japan and leaders in the DC community. Many view the experience as having been an essential step in their professional careers by utilizing contacts they made during the program to explore potential educational and career paths. Goodwill Ambassadors engage with the local community at tree plantings in neighborhoods and public schools, and coordinating hands-on activities for children. Every year, Goodwill Ambassadors are an indispensable resource for Festival attendees and the Festival as a whole, as they share their knowledge of the Festival, coordinate activities, and deepen their connection to Japan.

The experience of a Goodwill Ambassador is a rewarding and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The Festival's official Goodwill Ambassadors are actively engaged throughout the Festival season by:

Planning and leading hands-on activities for children at signature events: Family days at the National building museum, Blossom Kite Festival, and the Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival.

Representing the Festival at events such as, but not limited to: The National Cherry Blossom Festival press conference, The Pink Tie Party, The Opening Ceremony Spectacular, The Lantern Lighting Ceremony, The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, and the Ft. McNair Military Tree Planting & Ball.

Acting as cultural and educational liaisons at DC-area schools, neighborhood tree planting, and events attended by the Japanese and Japanese-American community of Washington, D.C.

Deadline to apply: Monday, November 14th, 2011

This opportunity is open to college sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent college graduate students. Japanese language ability is preferred.

http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/in-the-community/goodwill-ambassadors/

Spring 2012 Asian Studies Courses

The Sigur Center has posted a listing of all Spring 2012 Asian Studies courses. You can view the listing on our website under new information for either Graduate Programs or Undergraduate Programs.

The spreadsheet includes three different pages for language, undergrad, and grad courses.

Graduate students, please note that only MA Asian Studies students can take the capstone. MAIA Asia concentration students must take one of the MAIA capstones.

For more information on Spring 2012 registration, please visit The Office of the Registrar.

Spring 2012 Study Abroad Applications DUE OCT 15

Applications for Spring 2012 Study Abroad Programs due Saturday, October 15th!

Note: Many study abroad programs in Asia are available only in the spring due to academic schedules.

The Elliott School exchange program application process is now on-line. To begin an application, please go to http://studyabroad.gwu.edu/?go=elliottschoolgradexchange and select the exchange program to which you wish to apply. You will be prompted to log into the on-line system using your GW Net id and email password. All on-line materials and requested original documents (in hard copy) are due to by October 15 to the Elliott School International Programs & Education office, Suite 401, 1957 E Street, NW. Keep in mind, the office is not open on Saturday, so bring hard copy pieces of you application in by October 14th close of business.

Please contact Katie Pazda at esintl@gwu.edu with any questions! Thank you for your patience as we roll out this new process.